Blanking the Slate

f-22 "raptor" ace · **Reply #700 on:** October 13, 2018, 10:32:00 PM

"I'll go with you," Awe said. "If you need someone in a fight I'm your man."

Pterano · **Reply #701 on:** October 14, 2018, 12:11:14 AM

As Emilena shared that last bit of info, Tony stared dead ahead as they moved down the highway, that anxiety in the pit of his stomach rising. She would go to find Lily... to be killed? But then... that... would just mean Lily would continue to exist... and potentially destroy everything... what kind of a solution was that?

It left him feeling unsettled as he moved onto the exit and towards the Durwent District. "I'll go." he said. "There isn't anyone in this city that would know how to even drive this car if they tried to steal it so... I think we're good. I don't mind leaving it alone." He commented. "I can show whomever stays behind how to start it as well... since it'll be a hot start... won't be complicated." he assured them.

Moving the little knob on the steering wheel downwards to switch off the headlights as the car approached the warehouse, the sun was just starting to rise. Tony also turned off the dash lights, and steeled himself as he bumped the Model J along the uneven road and pulled up to the correct one. "OK... here we go." he said, not switching the car off just yet as he waited to determine who was going in, moving the massive shift lever down into neutral and setting the parking brake.

aabicus (LettuceBacon&Tomato) · **Reply #702 on:** October 14, 2018, 03:01:02 AM

(Durwent District)

While warehouses stretched in every direction from the block the Model J was currently parked in front of, this particular street contained what few luxury houses sat in the dead center of the industrial section. Due to being surrounded on all sides by factories, they were dotted with the heaviest air purifiers on the market, and the unmistakable architecture of the ultra-rich permeated the structures.

These houses were only affordable (or even desireable) by owners or high-ranking employees of the Durwent factories. Getting in or out would not be easy, as these residents were almost certainly protected by the best security systems money can buy.

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“It’s a lonely life out here, I won’t lie. Usually Emile and I won’t see anyone but the other farmers for months…”

Flora groaned sleepily as a documentary on the television began infiltrating her dreamless slumber. She hadn’t been wholly aware she’d fallen asleep after her afternoon romp with Bianca, but now that she looked over she saw that it was almost 4am, and her partner was no longer in the bed next to her.

“So are you saying your polyamory is normal for people out here in the Lanthae Wastelands?” the reporter on the TV asked, pressing his microphone towards a pair of dirt-streaked vulpine farmers.

“It takes an unusual sort to even want to live out in these deserts,” chuckled the husband. “No internet, no entertainment, no contact with the civilized world...you get to know your few neighbors REALLY well.”

Flora clicked the TV off. “Bianca?” she called out, tentatively climbing out of bed. “You...still here?”

bushwacked · **Reply #703 on:** October 14, 2018, 01:24:35 PM

Axel stared at the properties across the street as the Model J slowed to a halt. He blinked, coming to the same conclusion as Emilena - there was no way whoever designed these houses didn't account for any intruders.

"Don't count me in for a fight like this guy," he said, waving a hand in Awe's direction. "But they'll have security systems coming out the ass over there. I should be able to see where they are, help get around them. And I could do with the fresh air."

Nick22 · **Reply #704 on:** October 14, 2018, 03:49:22 PM

Biuanca came in the room, her eyes bleary ' Hi Flora, got called out for a late night craving by one of the guards. Cheap git, gave me just 3 creds more than the food cost. " She sighed. " ah well, I got him his food, and hes happy. You've been sleeping for hours. Out like a light. And I had my evening chores to take care of. " She said, taking a seat in front of the large screen TV.

aabicus (LettuceBacon&Tomato) · **Reply #705 on:** October 14, 2018, 10:44:11 PM

(OOC: I posted a character sheet for Kintoki in the discussion thread)

Emilena nodded and glanced at Soren, the last car occupant to decide on his post. “Looks like we’re breaking into a residential house, not a warehouse. This might be a good thing for us. Once we’ve found the right house, I think the first thing we should do is cause a power out. Few people would notice this late at night, and we’d have a few minutes to enter the building while the systems switch to the backup power supply. Soren and Awe, you’re the professionals in this matter, what do you think?”

—————————

Flora smiled and gave Bianca a quick kiss while she walked by. “So you just gonna live here now?” She asked, even while walking to the kitchen to make herself some food. “I mean, you know I’d love that, but I don’t want you to get in trouble with your bosses.”

She clicked the light on in the kitchen. She hadn’t done the dishes in a few days due to hanging out with Bianca, and she certainly didn’t feel like doing them now, so she opened the windows and pushed the curtains aside to get some airflow. She turned on the stove and started boiling a pot of water for ramen, not even noticing the old-fashioned car sitting a short ways down the street.

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Kintoki was sleeping in his bedroom-slash-security observation room.

Serris · **Reply #706 on:** October 15, 2018, 06:57:08 PM

Anne was slumped against the seat and currently asleep.

Soren was pondering over what Emilena said. "That'd work but we have to keep in mind that there may be a battery back up system that can instantly switch over to keep things going until the generator kicks in." He rubbed his chin. "I saw we take out all three of these at once. And then we get going." He then noticed the faint golden bands of the sun peeking through the dark, glassy towers of the industrial buildings. "But we have hurry. Those guys might be starting work soon and then we'll be in real deep shit."

f-22 "raptor" ace · **Reply #707 on:** October 18, 2018, 03:34:26 AM

"An simultaneous attack on both the backup and main could cripple them," Awe noted. "Do we have a map of the area of the area and locations of the generators?"

aabicus (LettuceBacon&Tomato) · **Reply #708 on:** October 18, 2018, 04:43:29 AM

"We don't even know which house is the right one, so that's the first step." Emilena unbuckled her seatbelt and climbed out of the car. "Everyone split up and start checking houses. Look for a building that doesn't have a sticker advertising the security company, since I doubt Brennan would trust a third party with their security. Might be other clues too."

She headed west down the street, eyeing the closest house. This one had a lot of used lawn equipment and looked to be halfway through finishing a garden renovation, so she doubted it was the safehouse. She continued onto the next one.

Unfortunately, the house with Flora visible from the kitchen window was eastward down the street...

Nick22 · **Reply #709 on:** October 18, 2018, 11:48:08 AM

well i've bneen told to keep an eye on you, so you'll see quite a bit of me ' i wont be ' living' with you per se, but i'll be a regular presence.' Bianca said going over to the window and loking out as shree scanned upward and down the street she noticed a number of people walking around, loking at the houses ' Flora! get away from the window! there's.. weird-looking people coming up the street! could be thugs, Purifiers, Gods-know-what!' close the windows! pull up the shutters! Now!' she hissed ' closing the window and shuttering it., then heading into the kitchen.

Pterano · **Reply #710 on:** October 18, 2018, 06:48:31 PM

Shutting off the Duesenberg, Tony exited, and began walking down the street after locking the car. He went east, while Emilena was going west it seemed. He wasn't immediately sure if others were following him just yet. As he strolled along, looking nonchalantly at the houses, he saw Flora through the kitchen window of one, and suddenly, before he could react much, one of the windows was shuttered up and closed off to him.

"Hey!" the ferret whispered loudly back to Emilena, hoping she hadn't gone too far as he half turned his head to see her. Snapping his claws twice, he subtly pointed to the home, not raising his arm from his side to do so, but thrusting it forward just slightly to point in its direction before resting it at his side again. He then kept walking, not wanting to break stride lest he arouse suspicion.

aabicus (LettuceBacon&Tomato) · **Reply #711 on:** October 18, 2018, 09:48:30 PM

With a bang, the door to the back room swung open and Kintoki stomped into the kitchen, causing Flora to squeal in surprise. "Where are the Purifiers?" he snarled. He was already wearing his heavy metallic exoskeleton, but his youthful face diminished the fear he hoped to provoke.

"There aren't any, Jesus!" Flora exclaimed, spilling boiling water on the stove and causing a hiss of steam. "Bianca's just paranoid, it's probably the neighbors!"

Kintoki saw the Great Dane and blinked in confusion. "...Who are you?"

"Oh please, she's been here all day. As if you weren't on your cameras watching us have sex a few hours ago," Flora rolled her eyes.

"I did nothing of the sort!" Kintoki protested, flushing red. "Is that why you're naked in the kitchen at four in the morning?"

"I woke up for a midnight snack! Is that illegal?" Flora snarled.

“Yes! I have to report everything you do to Coxon.” Kintoki suddenly noticed the wide open window. “Speaking of which, you can’t leave windows open like this! This is a safehouse, not a hotel!”

“But it’s stuffy in here,” Flora protested.

He quickly shut and locked the window, then drew the curtains shut. “Too bad. Now go back to bed and don’t make any noise until I’ve confirmed the perimeter is secure.”

“OK, but don’t shoot Bianca, she’s allowed to be here!” Flora called after him as he marched to the front room. Grumbling, she re-opened the curtains and took a look for herself at the intruders. The only one she could make out was an unfamiliar ferret minding his own business. “Secure the perimeter, godsakes, what is this, a war zone?”

Then a very familiar vixen approached from further down the sidewalk. She stopped in front of the house, and she and Flora locked eyes.

Flora felt a cold flash wash over her. “Errr, maybe I'll put my clothes on, just to be safe,” she stammered, darting to the bedroom as fast as possible.

Outside, Emilena quickly gave Tony an affirmative nod and rushed back to the car. “We've IDed the right house,” she jabbed her thumb surreptitiously. “Let's move it. Awe, Soren, Marita, if you got any tricks now's the time.”

Nick22 · **Reply #712 on:** October 18, 2018, 10:41:30 PM

So you've seen Flora?' Marita said coming up to them, she had been looking on the other side of the street. She looked at the house, noticing a pair of security cameras over the front door. ' hmm ' twin camera, which doubtlessly feed into a main control room, and i would imagine the interior rooms all have cameras. this doesn't look like the hardest security system i've gotten into. first off, blinding these outside cameras alone would alert security, so whoever is watching would get forewarning. There are two options. we do a domino, where we progressively blind and overload the system, which would, also kill all power in the house. then theres the tidal wave option, where everything is shut down at once. we would have, maybe 10-15 mijinutes to get flora out, by my calculation, before power would return sand security would send out a trigger warning. . less than that with the domino, maybe 3-5 minutes"
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Serris · **Reply #713 on:** October 24, 2018, 12:44:23 AM

Soren turned to Anne. "Can you help us with eavesdropping?"

The mare's ears swiveled back and forth as her tail swished. She shook her head. "Transmissions are encrypted. I have an older model implant so I can't break them. You're on your own for this. All I can do is detect signals and electromagnetic fields. I won't be able to listen in to the contents."

"Good enough." Soren licked his lips as he tried to still his pounding heart. He looked at the door. The door was flanked by two security cameras and he suspected that the door was probably reinforced. He then turned to Anne. "We'll take out the back up battery."

Anne nodded. "Sounds fine to me. Unfortunately, I don't think we have any weapons."

"Hopefully some gardener left some tools lying around or something. We'll make do." Soren then nodded. "Let's do it."

aabicus (LettuceBacon&Tomato) · **Reply #714 on:** October 24, 2018, 02:05:33 AM

"Soren's right," Emilena revealed a trowl and handed Soren a pair of shears she'd swiped from next door. "Next house to the west was working on his lawn, these were the most concealable options but anyone who wants to rummage, they're still over there."

She glanced at Awe. "This is your forte, just let us know what to do and we'll get to work."

---------------------------

Kintoki walked into the bedroom, where Flora was just fixing her newly-donned shirt. "I don't see any evidence of intruders," he reported.

"I'm shocked, shocked I tell you." Flora rolled her eyes. "Can you stop blocking the TV?"

Kintoki folded his arms. "Well, aren't we in a good mood. You know that if your girlfriend causes any more false alarms, I'm going to expel her from the premises?"

"You could try. What, are you going to go buy groceries? Walk around Target dressed like the Iron Giant?" Flora scoffed. "You wanna threaten Bianca, go do it to her face. She's on your payroll, not mine."

Kintoki grumbled as he walked into the kitchen. "What exactly is going on that caused your outburst?" he asked Bianca. He glanced out the window. There was indeed a car parked further down the road (Duesenberg Model J, if he recalled his old silent movies correctly) but it was too dark to make out the occupants. And considering its anachronistic and well-kept appearance, he assumed it was simply one of their wealthy neighbors returning from a vintage car show.

f-22 "raptor" ace · **Reply #715 on:** October 24, 2018, 02:30:14 AM

"I'll take out the security systems," Awe said. He looked to the others. "Once the system and lights are off go in and start clearing rooms. As for weapons, take them off the guards after you've taken care of them."

Pterano · **Reply #716 on:** October 24, 2018, 12:53:09 PM

As Tony wandered nonchalantly back down the street, crossing over to the other side to avoid suspicion, he approached his Duesenberg with his paws thrust in his pockets. "I've got a Glock 19 on me." he said softly as he padded on up. "I did bring a laser rifle as well if anyone wants to use it." he looked around him. "It's in the trunk..." Walking around to the back of the car, he popped the latches and opened up the literal trunk attached to the back of the Model J on the luggage rack, revealing some spare clothes, the med kit from before, and the laser rifle in the bottom, just poking out from underneath the clothes.

Glancing to the house, he looked back down again. "Just act like we're coming back from a long trip." he said quietly, pretending to root through the trunk as he actually moved some of the clothes out of the way. "They're looking over here but not in what I'd say is a suspicious fashion." he commented, not looking back up. "I wouldn't mind taking part in the assault... covering anyone who needs it... helping protect the withdrawal."

Nick22 · **Reply #717 on:** October 27, 2018, 07:53:26 PM

I saw a bunch of people walking up and down the street looking in at windows ' Bianca said. " they arent there NOW, but they were there. i'm not known for overreacting Kintoki, I've been here long enough for that reputation." she sighed ' flora is shall we say a touch lax about security, leaving the window open where anyone can see her." then turned to kintplo ' shouldnt you be handling outside security? that is your job. my job is to be the meal gopher." bianca said. ' speaking of which its almopst time to go on a early breakfast run. i'll need about 100 creds or so. you want something specific, better tell me now.' Bianca said.
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aabicus (LettuceBacon&Tomato) · **Reply #718 on:** October 27, 2018, 08:34:57 PM

Kintoki's face softened. "I'm sorry, Bianca, you're right. I shouldn't let Flora get under my skin like that." He handed her a 100c chip. "Get me one of those alcoholic energy drinks they sell at the gas station. I don't need any food."

He glanced out the window again. Besides the neighbor's fancy car, he couldn't see anything out of the ordinary. "If you saw creeps peeking through the windows, we need to heighten security. You should take this as well." He handed her a lightweight silver pistol with a snub barrel. "This brand fires cartridge-free bullets with self-contained propellants. Thirteen shots, no recoil whatsoever, perfect for untrained users. If anyone bothers you, come back inside immediately and warn me."

He pressed a button on his arm. "Also, let one of my Tactical Defense Roombas escort you to the car." A compartment opened up and three small black discs came rolling out from under the sink cabinet. "I'll have two patrolling the outside and one in Flora's room. They're armed with heat-sensitive optical scanners and can fire 200 armor-piercing rounds a minute."

One of the TDRs buzzed obediently to the front door and waited for Bianca. Another left out the petflap on the backdoor and began its route around the house. The last one rolled into Flora's room, who looked at it curiously.

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Emilena quickly passed Axel the trowel and grabbed the laser rifle. "Positions, people. Awe, we'll be waiting for your signal."

She crawled to the hedges separating the safe house from their neighbor and crouched behind them, out of sight. Checking to make sure the laser rifle was loaded and cocked, she kept her eyes on Awe, ready to open fire to defend him if he experienced any trouble.

f-22 "raptor" ace · **Reply #719 on:** October 27, 2018, 10:18:03 PM

"Got it." Awe approached the outside power source and placed a small charge on it. He took cover and gave a three two one countdown on his fingers before pressing the button. The security cameras went offline. Awe rushed to the door taking position next to it and signaled the group shooting out the lights above the door with a silenced pistol. "now all we need is the power to go off for the building."